PUSD signage at the District’s office (Photo – Staff)
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) announced plans to begin large-scale remediation work this summer at 11 campuses and PUSD sites affected by contamination linked to the Eaton Fire.
By Rena Kurlander
According to PUSD, the cleanup effort will include the removal of fire-related contaminants from soil and the removal of affected trees at affected locations under the direction of California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the state agency overseeing the project.
PUSD said the work is being conducted “as part of our commitment to the safety of our students, employees, and families.” Remediation is scheduled while students and staff are off campus during summer break.
PUSD stated that last year’s environmental testing identified fire-related contaminants in soil at levels above state screening thresholds. Following those findings, affected areas were closed off immediately.
Affected Sites
The 11 affected sites include:
- Blair High School
- Former Cleveland Elementary School site
- Field Elementary
- Franklin Elementary site
- Jefferson Dual Language Children’s Center
- John Muir High School Early College Magnet
- Longfellow Elementary Magnet
- Octavia E. Butler Magnet
- San Rafael Elementary
- Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School
- The PUSD Education Center
DTSC has approved eight Fire-Related Campus Assessment Reports conditionally and three Removal Action Workplans submitted by PUSD. PUSD said DTSC agreed with its remediation plan and will review completed work to confirm that all safety standards have been met.
PUSD plans to begin soil removal immediately after the school year ends in early June. Officials said the work will be conducted under strict safety protocols, including dust control measures, secured work zones, environmental monitoring, and the safe transportation of materials.
PUSD acknowledged that nearby neighborhoods may experience disruptions during construction. Residents will receive advance notice before work begins at campuses in their areas.
As part of the remediation, trees within contaminated soil removal zones also will be removed to allow for complete cleanup operations. “We know this is hard to hear,” PUSD stated in its announcement. “Trees are where children play, where communities gather, where roots run deep.”
Environmental Remediation
PUSD said it worked with the City of Pasadena to determine that the project qualifies as “environmental remediation” under the City’s Tree Protection Ordinance, meaning replacement planting is not legally required. Despite that exemption, PUSD said it plans to replace removed trees and restore landscaping across affected campuses.
PUSD is collaborating with West Coast Arborists, Inc., a California-based arboriculture firm, as part of the restoration effort.
PUSD added that some landscaping replacement may continue after students return to campus in August. The district emphasized that such work will not involve exposure to fire-related soil. Updates, timelines, and site-specific information will be shared through PUSD’s “Restoring Our Schools” initiative.
Pasadena Parks and Residents’ Implications
Questions also have been raised as to whether nearby Pasadena parks and surrounding residential areas could face similar contamination concerns.
Colorado Boulevard newspaper submitted an inquiry to the City of Pasadena asking whether officials planned to assess parks and public spaces near impacted campuses and whether any additional measures would be considered for nearby residents. In response, Manuel Carmona, Director of the Pasadena Public Health Department, provided the following statement:
The City of Pasadena completed soil testing at six city parks in April 2025 and did not identify any concerns to human health. The PUSD soil removal projects are based on soil sampling conducted in the same timeframe. There is no evidence to indicate conditions have changed at city parks so the city does not plan to conduct further soil sampling at this time.
Residents near the soil removal sites who are concerned about their fire-related impacts to their properties can access free soil testing through Los Angeles County: publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire-soil-testing.”
Colorado Boulevard’s inquiry remains the basis for the City’s clarification on current park monitoring and resident guidance.
Schools are contaminated but city parks aren’t??? Hmmmmmm……